Emergency warning systems to be tested September 3
The University will test its emergency warning systems, including its siren system, on September 3 at 11 a.m.
As part of ongoing campus security initiatives, the University and the Security Services department will conduct a full emergency test on Tuesday, September 3, beginning at 11 a.m.
Some of the activity will be audible to local residents and businesses, however no action is required and campus activity should proceed as normal.
Faculty reps, who will be on campus to help with Welcome Week activities, have been trained by Security Services to help explain the testing to incoming students.
The test will involve a number of components at different intervals:
• Sounding the outdoor Emergency Siren Alert System
• Verbal messages on outdoor red assistance phones
• Testing LCD screens with audible/visual emergency alerts (screens are located in each academic building)
• Testing McMaster’s Emergency Mass Notification system with a SMS/test message alert
• Testing McMaster’s mobile safety app
Read: McMaster’s Emergency Guidebook
When used during a real emergency, the Emergency Siren Alert System indicates that the campus is in a lockdown mode. In the event of a lockdown, the campus community should take shelter in the nearest room, close all entry doors and ensure the locks are fastened. They should remain quiet, act as if no one is in the room and remain still until emergency responders provide the all clear.
Security Services operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the University’s Communications Centre, located in the E.T. Clarke building.
